Oarlock spacer

ABSTRACT

Described herein are spacers for oarlock height adjustment, for example, for rowing racing shells. The spacers can have a C-shaped clamp section; and a grip section having two handles extending from said clamp section, wherein said clamp section is adapted to be securely fastened to an oarlock pin and to release from the oarlock pin when the handles of the grip section are squeezed together. The clamp section can have an outer rim section, an inner rim section, and an opening configured to pass around the oarlock pin. Also described herein are methods for adjusting oarlock height making use of the spacers.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application for Patent Ser. No. 62/033,838 filed on Aug. 6, 2014, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to spacers for adjusting oarlock height on rowing racing shells and methods related to the same.

BACKGROUND

Rowing shells, including sweep boats such as eights (8+), fours (4+ and 4−) and pairs (2+ and 2−) and sculling boats such as octuple sculls (8×), quadruple sculls (4×), double sculls (2×), and single sculls (1×), are propelled through the water by oars supported by an outrigger. The oars transmit the power of the rower, drawing on strength and proper stroke form from a rower's legs, back, and arms. The speed of the shell is determined by strength, technique, and the efficiency of the transmission of the rower's power through the oar to the water.

One factor affecting the transmission of the rower's power is the relationship of the oar to the rower's body and the surface of the water. This relationship or geometry is determined by, among other things, the inboard and outboard lengths of the oar, stern and lateral pitch, and the height of the oarlock relative to the water. It is generally considered most efficient if, at the finish of the stroke, with the boat “set” (i.e., level), the end of the oar handle comes to a point at or aligned approximately with the lower part of a rower's sternum. For that to happen, the fulcrum for the oar and the oarlock, must be at the correct height for the individual rower in his or her seat for a particular boat, and water conditions.

In racing shells, the oarlock supports the oar and pivots on an oarlock pin. For example, the oarlock includes a roughly U-shaped section designed to accommodate the oar, a gate (i.e., a latch) at the top of the U-shaped section to secure the oar within it, and a tubular section forming one of the sides of the U-shaped section. The tubular section includes a hole for insertion of an oarlock pin. The oarlock pin is supported by an outrigger attached to the gunwale of the shell. The outrigger, oarlock pin, and oarlock are designed to allow the oar to move as follows during each stroke: (a) to rotate about the vertical axis of the oarlock pin (allowing the oar to move through an arc which lies in an essentially horizontal plane); (b) to rotate about an axis which is perpendicular to the axis of the oarlock pin (allowing the oar to move through an arc which lies in an essentially vertical plane); and (c) to rotate about the oar's own axis (allowing the blade of the oar to be “feathered” or “squared” as necessary throughout the stroke).

An oarlock is typically positioned on an oarlock pin and the oarlock and oarlock pin are secured together with a top nut and a bottom nut to prevent the oarlock from sliding off of the oarlock pin. The top nut can also secure a back stay. The bottom nut also secures the oarlock pin to the outrigger. Washers, adjustable spacers, or a combination of washers and adjustable spacers can also be positioned on the oarlock pin to fix the vertical position of the oarlock on the oarlock pin.

Generally, the rigging of a rowing shell is determined by the rigger, oarlock pin, and oar. The rigging can be adjusted to accommodate differences in size and weight of rowers, different rowing techniques, and different rowing conditions (e.g., completely flat water, choppy water, whitecap conditions). The rigger and oarlock pin are designed to allow the oarlock to be adjusted in height above the water and distance from the centerline of the shell. Oarlock height is a primary concern of a rower so the hand on the inboard section of the oar moves through the proper plane while the blade of the oar moves through the water at the proper depth during the drive phase of the rowing stroke where the oar is positioned in the water.

A higher oarlock height may be desired to provide greater clearance between the oar and the water, for example, in rough water conditions, to accommodate a taller rower or a rower with a long torso, or to adjust for a rower or crew with a heavier weight which causes the rowing shell to sit lower in the water. Similarly, a lower oarlock may be desired to decrease the distance between the oar and the water, for example, in flat water conditions, to accommodate a shorter rower or a rower with a short torso, or to adjust for a rower or crew with a lighter weight which causes the rowing shell to sit higher in the water. Adjustments of the oarlock height are made so that, at the finish position, the oar handle will be aligned approximately with the lower part of the sternum.

The oarlock height can be adjusted by moving one or more washers and/spacers from above the oarlock to below the oarlock, or vice versa. For example, to decrease the height of the oarlock, one or more washers and/or spacers are moved from a position on the oarlock pin from below the oarlock to above the oarlock. To increase the height of the oarlock, one or more spacers are moved from a position on the oarlock pin from above the oarlock to below the oarlock.

Washers used for this purpose include conventional washers, i.e., a small flat rings made of metal, rubber, or plastic. One major disadvantage of using washers to fix the oarlock in place on the pin is that the positions of the washer and, consequently, the oarlock height, cannot be easily adjusted. For example, hand tools such as a wrench must be used to loosen and detach the top nut, and then all of the washers on top of the oarlock must be removed from the oarlock pin. The oarlock must then be removed from the pin, and the number of washers above or below the oarlock adjusted. Finally, the oarlock must be replaced, the remaining washers replaced on the oarlock pin, and the top nut tightened using the wrench.

Use of washers requires nearly all parts on an oarlock pin to be handled to adjust the oarlock height. This is a time-consuming process and increases the likelihood that parts could be dropped or lost. Additionally, such adjustments require a stable platform such that the oarlock height must be adjusted with the boat on land, next to a dock, or next to a coach's launch. Accordingly, any height adjustments made with conventional washers are usually estimates of what height is needed. Once on the water, a rower may find that the height adjustments were not correct, but will have no opportunity to adjust the rigging during that rowing session.

Presently, removable spacers (henceforth called “spacers”) are also used on the oarlock pin to allow for easier oarlock height adjustment. A spacer is a split clamp made of plastic that can be pushed onto or pulled off of the oarlock pin without removing the top nut, oarlock, or other washers and spacers on the oarlock pin. This allows for adjustment of oarlock height without use of hand tools and minimizes the number parts manipulated for oarlock height adjustment. Use of spacers also allows for adjustment of oarlock height by rowers on the water without having a boat stabilized by a dock or coach's launch. Spacers can be used in conjunction with washers, for example, a combination of spacers and washers placed on the oarlock pin enable small height adjustments to be made by adjusting one or more spacers and large height adjustments made by repositioning washers.

Spacers still present difficulty in adjusting oarlock height. Spacers are designed to be strongly attached to the oarlock pin to avoid the possibility of falling off during the rowing stroke. This strong attachment means that to remove the spacer from an oarlock pin, a rower must push on the spacer at the edges of the split using his or her fingertips. Other parts, such as a backstay, make accessing the spacer or having sufficient leverage to push against the spacer difficult. The edges of the split can be sharp which makes manipulating the spacer with hands uncomfortable or painful. In cold weather, attempting to remove a spacer can cause a rower's fingertips to become numb and cause a loss of dexterity that prevents easy and quick movement of the spacer.

It often takes two hands to remove a spacer. In order to use both hands to pry a spacer from the oarlock pin, a rower must lean over the gunwale towards a rigger which disrupts the set of the boat and, in a multiple person shell, often requires the other rower(s) to lean the opposite way to offset the additional weight placed on one side of the boat during the adjustment. Accordingly, a rower does not have a free hand to catch a spacer if it suddenly releases, or pops off from an oarlock pin during adjustment. The spacer can then be lost in the water. Without a full complement of spacers, the oarlock can move vertically on the pin during the rowing stroke which is detrimental to technique and efficiency of transmitting the rower's power through the oar to the water, and can lead to decreased boat speed.

Additionally, replacing spacers onto an oarlock pin can be difficult. The spacer must be pushed back onto the oarlock pin. If the split is not aligned properly with the oarlock pin, the spacer may push off to one side and fall in the water. Proper alignment can be difficult because of the above-described difficulties in manipulating spacers.

As a result of the difficulty in making such adjustments, they are sometimes not made. If the oarlock height is not properly adjusted for each individual rower, the efficiency of the crew and maximum sustainable speed of the rowing shell are reduced.

There remains a need for a device or article which permits easy adjustment of oarlock height such that rowers can easily adjust the height as needed without manipulation of several parts of the rowing shell, without the use of hand tools, without overly disrupting the set of the boat, and without a high risk of losing boat parts. Adjustment while on the water is also important, and is difficult with spacers and nearly impossible with conventional washers.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the above-described needs and in view of the limitations of existing spacers, described herein are oarlock spacers that can be easily handled and manipulated and can permit quick adjustment of oarlock height with a reduced risk of losing spacers. This can ensure that each rower has an oarlock height set at a proper level and that the rigging and geometrical relationship between the rower, the oar, the boat, and the water provides for a more efficient rowing stroke.

Spacers for oarlock height adjustment as described herein can comprise a C-shaped clamp section; and a grip section comprising two handles extending from said clamp section. The clamp section can be adapted to be securely fastened to an oarlock pin and to release from the oarlock pin when the handles of the grip section are squeezed together with the fingers of one hand. The clamp section can comprise an outer rim section, an inner rim section, and an opening configured to pass around the oarlock pin. The spacers described herein are suitable for use in any rowing racing shell class, including sweep boats such as eights (8+), fours (4+ and 4−) and pairs (2+ and 2−) and sculling boats such as octuple sculls (8×), quadruple sculls (4×), double sculls (2×), and single sculls (1×).

Also described herein are methods for adjusting oarlock height. The methods can comprise providing the spacers or positioning the spacers as described herein on an oarlock and moving the spacers from a first position on an oarlock pin to a second position on an oarlock pin, wherein the first and second positions are on opposite sides of an oarlock located on the oarlock pin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of a spacer as described herein.

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of a spacer as described herein.

FIG. 3 is another perspective view of a spacer as described herein.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a spacer as described herein positioned on an oarlock pin.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a spacer as described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The spacer disclosed herein will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1-3 show a spacer 1 having a clamp section 2 and a grip section 3. The clamp section 2 can be C-shaped. The interior of the C-shaped clamp section is sized and shaped to fasten around an oarlock pin (not shown).

The thickness of the spacer at the clamp section, i.e., the section that contacts the oarlock pin, (shown as F in FIG. 3) can be set to provide incremental oarlock height adjustment. In other words, the spacer can have a thickness sized so that an oarlock pin can accommodate a plurality of spacers such that moving one spacer from one above the oarlock to below the oarlock, or vice versa, will provide an incremental change in oarlock height equal to the spacer thickness. If a larger adjustment in oarlock height is desired, additional spacers can be moved from above the oarlock to below the oarlock, or vice versa, either one by one or by moving multiple spacers at the same time, e.g., gripping multiple spacers in one hand at the same time. The thickness of the spacer can range from about 5.000 mm to 9.000 mm, including 6.000 mm to 8.000 mm. The thickness of the spacer can be about 7.000 mm. The thickness of the spacer can be 6.900 mm.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the clamp section 2 is C-shaped and can comprise an inner rim section 20, an outer rim section 21, and an opening 22 (or split) configured to pass around an oarlock pin. The inner rim section 20 can define a cylindrical space 24 (alternatively referred to as an inner diameter of the spacer). The inner rim section 20 is the portion of the spacer which contacts the oarlock pin.

The distance between the inner rim section 20 and the outer rim section 21 can be set to help provide sufficient strength and flexibility to the spacer to remain fastened to the oarlock pin during rowing and to be pulled off the oarlock and repositioned as needed. The thickness of the clamp section can range from about 4.000 mm to 5.000 mm. The thickness can be 4.6 mm.

The radius of the cylindrical space can be about 7.100 mm measured to the inner rim section (shown as A in FIG. 1B). The radius of the cylindrical space can about 11.700 mm measured to the outer rim section (shown as B in FIG. 1B). The radii can be adjusted based on the size and diameter of the oarlock pin. Those of ordinary skill in the art understand that the size and diameter of oarlock pins can vary based on boat class, boat manufacturer, and parts manufacturer. Since the spacer can be made of a flexible material, the inner diameter of the spacer (alternatively, radius, size, and/or dimensions of the cylindrical space) can accommodate some variation in oarlock pin diameter.

The opening 22 of the clamp section is configured to pass around an oarlock pin as the spacer 1 is positioned on or removed from an oarlock pin. The opening 22 is sized such that it can remain on the oarlock pin without falling off but can be removed from the oarlock pin without removing other parts, such as the top nut, other spacers, and/or washers. The size of the opening 22, when measured around the outer rim section 21 can be in the range of 15.000 mm to 17.000 mm (shown as C in FIG. 1B). The size of the opening 22 can be about 16.000 mm. The size of the opening 22 can be 15.950 mm.

The grip section 3 can comprise two handles 30 or tabs extending from the clamp section 2. Each handle can have a proximal section where the handle connects to the clamp section and a distal section that is the end of the handle. The grip section 3 provides a means for a rower to easily grip the spacer for repositioning on the oarlock pin to adjust oarlock height. The handles 30 can be positioned opposite the opening 22 of the clamp section 2. The handles can also be connected to each other, for example, by a connecting piece or bridging section (not shown) at the end of the handles or in the middle of the handles. As shown in FIGS. 1-2, the handles 30 can be positioned parallel to each other. The handles 30 can be separated by a distance (shown as D in FIG. 1B) and can be squeezed together. The distance can be about 0.500 mm to 1.000 mm. The distance can be 0.750 mm.

Alternatively, the handles can be positioned at an angle. For example, the handles may not be parallel to each other and can angle away from each other at the distal sections of the handles. The handles may be closer together where the handles intersect with the clamp section and farther away from each other at the ends of the handles. Alternatively, the proximal sections of the handles can be parallel to each other and the distal sections can be non-parallel, for example, with the distal section of one or both handles angling away from the other handle. This configuration can increase the distance between the distal sections of the handles and increase the leverage provided by squeezing the handles together.

Squeezing together the handles 30 can cause the clamp section 2 to deflect outwardly and slightly loosen its hold on the oarlock pin. The handles can be provided with a plurality of notches 31 to help improve handling of the spacer by a rower. The handles 30 and ability to squeeze the handles 30 together to outwardly deflect the clamp section 2 can provide easier manipulation of the spacer 1 such that the spacer can be repositioned on the oarlock pin using only one hand and without a rower needing to lean over the boat gunwale towards the rigger. This allows for a decrease in the amount of time needed to adjust oarlock height and increases the likelihood that a rower will properly adjust the oarlock height. By providing the spacer 1 with handles 30, the spacer 1 is easier to grip and is less likely to be dropped or lost by a rower when adjusting oarlock height.

The handles 30 can be cylindrically-shaped (as shown in FIGS. 1-2) or prism-shaped, e.g., a prism having two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, or more sides. Cylindrical shaped handles can have a diameter of about 1.500 mm to 2.500 mm. The cylindrically-shaped handles can have a diameter of 2.000 mm.

The length of the handles 30 can be long enough to provide easy handling of the spacer 1 but short enough not to interfere with other boat and rigging parts. The length of the handles 30 (shown as E in FIG. 1B) can be about 14.000 mm to 20.000 mm. The length can be about 16.000 mm to about 18.000 mm. The length can be about 17.000 mm. The length can be 17.242 mm.

FIG. 4 shows a plurality spacers 1 as described herein positioned on an oarlock pin 4 with an oarlock 5 inserted on the oarlock pin 4 above the spacers 1. A portion of a rigger 6 is also shown in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4, the height of the oarlock 5 can be adjusted lower by removing a spacer 1 from the oarlock pin 4 below the oarlock 5 and repositioning it on the oarlock pin 4 above the oarlock 5. This adjustment can be made without any hand tools or manipulation of other parts.

The case of handling the spacer 1 also allows for multiple spacers to be moved and repositioned at one time, e.g., gripping two or more spacers with one hand, removing the spacers from the oarlock pin in a first motion, and repositioning the same amount of spacers on the oarlock pin in a second motion. With reference to FIG. 4, a rower could grip two or three of the spacers 1 in one hand at the same time and remove and reposition them on the oarlock pin 4 above the oarlock 5.

FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of an oarlock spacer 7. In this embodiment, the spacer has a clamp section 8 similar to the clamp section 2 as described above. The grip section 9 is provided with only one handle 90. The spacer 7 can be repositioned on an oarlock pin by pulling on the handle 90 to remove the spacer 7 and pushing it back onto the oarlock pin.

It is important that the spacer be made of a material or materials that can removed and replaced on the oarlock pin without a loss of fastening ability, i.e., materials that have enough flexibility to be sufficiently deflected to release the spacer from the oarlock pin and replace it on the pin and to remain on the pin until a further adjustment of the spacer is desired. Exemplary materials include Nylon, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), Polypropylene, other plastics, Polyurethane, or blends thereof. A strengthening element can be added to the material. Exemplary strengthening elements include fiberglass, carbon fibers, and mixtures thereof.

The spacer can optionally be made of a material that floats. This can help prevent a spacer from being lost if it is dropped while adjusting the oarlock height during a rowing session, i.e., when the adjustment is being made while the rowing shell is on the water. Alternatively, the spacer can be made of a material that does not float. Whether the spacer is made of a material that floats or does not float does not affect performance of the spacer; selection of a floating material can be based on convenience.

Spacers as described herein can be made of a single material, i.e., the clamp section 2 and the grip section 3 being made of the same material. Alternatively, different sections of the spacer could be made of different materials, i.e., the clamp section 2 made of a first material and the grip section 3 made of a second material. For example, the clamp section 2 could be made of nylon and the grip section 3 could be made of ABS. The spacers can also be made with multiple materials in multiple colors as desired by a user.

Also described herein are methods of adjusting oarlock height making use of the spacer. The methods can comprise providing one or more spacers as described herein; and moving the one or more spacers from a first position on an oarlock pin to a second position on an oarlock pin, wherein said first and second positions are on opposite sides of an oarlock located on the oarlock pin. Alternatively, a method for adjusting oarlock height can comprise positioning one or more spacers described herein at a first position on an oarlock pin; and moving the one or more spacers to a second position of the oarlock pin, wherein said first and second positions are on opposite sides of an oarlock located on the oarlock pin.

While the foregoing disclosure has been described in some detail for the purposes of clarity and understanding, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art from a reading of this disclosure that various changes in form and detail can be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A spacer for oarlock height adjustment comprising: a C-shaped clamp section; and a grip section comprising two handles extending from said clamp section, wherein said clamp section is adapted to be securely fastened to an oarlock pin and to release from the oarlock pin when the handles of the grip section are squeezed together.
 2. The spacer of claim 1, wherein said clamp section comprises an outer rim section, an inner rim section, and an opening configured to pass around the oarlock pin.
 3. The spacer of claim 2, wherein the opening is about 15.950 mm measured around the outer diameter section.
 4. The spacer of claim 2, wherein said inner rim defines a cylindrical space that fastens to the oarlock pin.
 5. The spacer of claim 4, wherein the radius of the cylindrical space is about 7.100 mm measured to the inner rim section.
 6. The spacer of claim 5, wherein the radius of the cylindrical space is about 11.700 mm measured to the outer rim section.
 7. The spacer of claim 2, wherein the handles of the grip section are positioned opposite the opening of the C-shaped clamp section.
 8. The spacer of claim 1, wherein the handles are prism-shaped.
 9. The spacer of claim 1, wherein the handles are cylindrically-shaped.
 10. The spacer of claim 9, wherein a radius of the handles is about 2.000 mm.
 11. The spacer of claim 10, wherein the handles are parallel to each other and a distance between the handles is about 0.750 mm.
 12. The spacer of claim 1, wherein the length of the handles is about 17.242 mm.
 13. The spacer of claim 1, wherein each handle has a plurality of notches.
 14. The spacer of claim 1, having a thickness of about 6.900 mm.
 15. The spacer of claim 1, wherein the spacer is made of Nylon, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), Polypropylene, other plastics, Polyurethane, or blends thereof.
 16. The spacer of claim 15, wherein the Nylon, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), Polypropylene, other plastics, Polyurethane, or blends thereof further comprise a strengthening element.
 17. The spacer of claim 16, wherein the strengthening element comprises fiberglass, carbon fiber, or mixtures thereof.
 18. The spacer of claim 1, wherein the clamp section and grip section are made of different materials.
 19. A method for adjusting oarlock height, said method comprising: providing one or more spacers according to claim 1; and moving the one or more spacers from a first position on an oarlock pin to a second position on an oarlock pin, wherein said first and second positions are on opposite sides of an oarlock located on the oarlock pin.
 20. A method for adjusting oarlock height, said method comprising: positioning one or more spacers of any one of claim 1 at a first position on an oarlock pin; and moving the one or more spacers to a second position of the oarlock pin, wherein said first and second positions are on opposite sides of an oarlock located on the oarlock pin. 